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NORTH TYNE - WARK BRIDGE

Wark Bridge

"Five miles below Reedsmouth is the quiet little village of Wark, .....once the capital of North Tynedale."

The Tyne And Its Tributaries. W J Palmer. 1882

The iron bridge was built by Hawks, Crayshay and Sons of Gateshead in 1878. The river is fairly wide at Wark and the bridge has seven piers with an island dividing the waters underneath. There is a bulge in the middle to allow traffic to pass and a 5 ton weight restriction is imposed. The bridge links the village with some small settlements, including Birtley, on the other side of the river, including Wark railway station at one time. Previously a toll bridge crossed the Tyne here, together with a ford.

The area has a turbulent history, once reflected in the existence of several castles nearby; at Haughton, Chipchase, Wark and Bellingham. Only the two first-mentioned still exist. Nearby Simonburn is an attractive and peaceful village with an interesting old church, St Mungo's, originally of the thirteenth century.

 Wark Bridge Facts


Constructed - 1878
Type - beam, iron on 7 stone piers.
Position: at Wark, Northumberland.
Grid Ref: NY 862 771
 Wark Bridge
Wark Bridge






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